216 THE COMMON SENSE OF THE MILK QUESTION 



ing the preceding period. During the next three 

 years, 1903-1905 inclusive, the number was greater, 

 311, but still appreciably less than in the pasteuriza- 

 tion period. 



Looked at in another way, the figures make an even 

 more remarkable showing. During the nine years, 

 1888 to 1896 inclusive, there were 1999 deaths of 

 children under five years of age in the months of July 

 and August ; but during the period 1897 to 1905, the 

 following nine years, distinguished by the work of 

 the infants' milk depots, the number of deaths in the 

 same months was only 1000 ! The number of deaths 

 was just half, notwithstanding that the population had 

 increased something like twenty per cent! I know of 

 nothing to equal this record in the history of any city 

 in the world. And the cost of this great work to the 

 city has been barely a thousand dollars a year, less 

 than the salary of a good inspector. 



In the manner indicated by our analysis of the 

 statistics it is possible to obtain an approximate idea 

 of the extent to which the mortality of infants has 

 been reduced, but no figures can ever show the gain 

 to society through the prevention of needless suffer- 

 ing, or the number of children who have been enabled 

 to start life fairly, without the handicap of weakened 

 constitutions, as a result of the work done by the 

 city in providing them with a safe and wholesome food 

 at a critical period in their infancy. Nor can the 



